|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

CAD and Asperger's Symptoms

Asperger's syndrome is a condition in which an individual has noted difficulty with social interaction as well as experiences repetitive behavior and interests. Cassandra Affective Disorder (CAD) is a term for those living with Asperger's patients who have either been diagnosed or are undiagnosed. CAD is difficult to diagnose because sufferers are likely to attribute it to the hardship of taking care of someone who is emotionally unavailable.

  1. Communication

    • Someone with Asperger's is unable to accurately judge how he is communicating with others and their reactions. According to the Mayo Clinic, an Asperger's patient may engage in long-winded, one-sided conversations without being aware if the listener is listening or trying to change the subject. There may be distorted communication through strange facial expressions, awkward body positions or lack of eye contact. Lastly, an Asperger's sufferer may have an extremely difficult time perceiving other people's feelings or being sensitive emotionally.

    Obsessions and Eccentricities

    • A person with Asperger's may have an extreme obsession with specific subjects, such as train schedules, weather or baseball statistics. When discussing these subjects, the patient may have an unusually fast, rigid or monotonous voice. Physically, the Asperger's sufferer may have a strange walk that is somewhat clumsy and poor coordination in general, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Energy

    • Cassandra Affective Disorder may lead to reduced energy in the sufferer. The symptoms of CAD are similar to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which include lethargy and sleep problems. The CAD patient may have constant fatigue with an inability to complete a normal routine. The sleep problems may include the desire to oversleep, disturbed sleep and wakening in the early morning.

    Interaction and Activity

    • Living with an Asperger's sufferer may lead to similar symptoms. Social problems may ensue, according to Maxine Aston, the doctor who coined the term Cassandra Affective Disorder. These may lead to a desire to avoid social contact, increased irritability and a decrease in libido. There may be depression that involves feelings of guilt and a loss of self-esteem. There can also be mood changes that lead to anxiety and extremes of activity called hypomania. CAD may also lead to overeating and a concomitant gain in weight.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles